AANC and AANP Family NP

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I just thought I would post something about the two exams: AANC and AANP for family NP certification. I was in search of people's experiences with the two exams before I took them and maybe this will help someone else!

I signed up for the AANC exam and then became worried that I had chosen the wrong exam because it seemed everyone else I knew had taken the AANP one and the AANC exam has the added component of non-clinical questions. With continued anxiety, I decided to sign up for the the AANP exam and scheduled it for about 2 weeks after the AANC.

I did pass AANC exam. I debated about whether to take the AANP exam since I had passed the AANC, but the AANP gives no refund at all if the test has already been scheduled, so I decided to go ahead and take that exam as well. I passed the AANP exam as well.

For anyone trying to decide which test to take, I can offer the following:

For me, the AANC exam was much harder. The clinical questions required a more in-depth understanding of the conditions and treatments. There were a few questions showing pictures which required a very good understanding of what I seeing. The questions that pertained to research, cultural issues and professional issues were a real mix of easy and difficult.

As for the AANP exam, the clinical questions were shorter and more direct. There were no picture questions, no questions requiring multiple selections and no sorting questions. I used all of the 4 hours allowed for the AANC because I went back and reviewed a bunch of questions I had flagged. I did not need all of the 3 1/2 hours allowed for the AANP exam even after reviewing my flagged questions.

I studied quite a bit for the AANC exam. I did not study (during the 2 weeks between the two exams) for the the AANP - after the AANC, I was a little mentally fried;-). I had taken the Fitzgerald review well in advance of both exams and found the example questions to be similar to the AANC so I would recommend the Fitzgerald especially if you plan to take the AANC. I purchased the 2 volume review book set from the AANC and used that to study from. I found it to be very helpful for covering the clinical information but surprisingly, found the professional issues, cultural and research areas to be lacking somewhat. I also purchased the sample tests from the AANC. Those were pretty representative of the real exam but without any picture questions. In preparing for the AANC exam I would recommend reviewing some materials from your leadership/managerial course and know your levels of research. Also, make sure you know your medication categories.

Both tests required an understanding of physical examination tests and expected results. Both also covered required a solid understanding for diagnosis and treatment of the most common chronic conditions.

Some other sources I used for studying included the review book by Leik and the online questions at FamilyNPPrep. Although I purchased a package at FamilyNPPrep, I personally did not find it similar enough to either exam to really recommend it. I liked the book by Leik but did find it to have some mistakes - so be careful in using it!

That's about it! Hope this helps someone else who is as anxious as I was!

I think I will probably keep the AANC certification and drop the AANP rather than maintain them both, but if anyone has any opinions to offer on which one to keep or if there is any benefit to keeping them both, then I would appreciate the advice!

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I took both exams as well and I am maintaining both certs.

I also found the AANC exam more difficult than the AANP exam, though both were quite minimum-competency.

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Do you know of any benefits to maintaining both? Are you writing both sets of initials after your name?

Thanks for your input!

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This is very helpful! Thank you for the input!

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Thanks CarWR for your inputs! These are really helpful. I have not taken the exam yet but if I were you, I would look into each ( ANCC and AANP) requirements for renewal and see which is easier to maintain. I would keep the one that has less CEUs etc. I was listening to Amelie Hollier's review CDs and one of the CDs titled, ANCC Vs AANP, she said it is not necessary keeping both ( bcos they are both equally acceptable anywhere ) and more so, it is very expensive maintaining and keeping up with both certifications. So, I won't keep them both...but that's just my own opinion.

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Thanks for the advice! I have looked at the requirements for both certifications and they look pretty similar...

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Specializes in Adult NP.

Thank you for information, it was helpful for me. I took ANCC today and not passed all was ethic and question about roles ,research .I am not good to answer this type of questions and not really found any book to help. my score was high diagnose , treatment, assessment but low role policy and fundamental and research.

Can you help me with study guide only for this type of questions? Or now you tried both , do you think AANP is better choice for me? feeling so disappointed . only few HTN and DM. I can not believe why they ask about what is the name of this NP's action who cares what is the name of the action? do it right and be safe. :( :sour:

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Specializes in Adult NP.

Thank you for information, it was helpful for me. I took ANCC today and not passed all was ethic and question about roles ,research .I am not good to answer this type of questions and not really found any book to help. my score was high diagnose , treatment, assessment but low role policy and fundamental and research.

Can you help me with study guide only for this type of questions? Or now you tried both , do you think AANP is better choice for me? feeling so disappointed . only few HTN and DM. I can not believe why they ask about what is the name of this NP's action who cares what is the name of the action? do it right and be safe. :( :sour:

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Thank you guys for posting. I took the AANP exam yesterday and failed. Left the exam feeling like the world would come to an end. I never bargained to fail. I asked myself where is God? Please I want to sit for the ANCC. I need the best advice I can get please. Don't think am strong on clinical information. What is the best book to help study for ANCC please? Thank you for your help. I need current books. I never attended any live review and don't think it will help me because Idid it for nclex and it was a waste but my nclex I passed first time with cut off at 75. I just need the right material to focus on. I used leik second edition to study and barkley 2013 review book but may be the stuff was outdated. I need recent information.

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Hello Nashah we can do a Skype study or exchange information. what do you think. please private message me

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Thank you guys for posting. I took the AANP exam yesterday and failed. Left the exam feeling like the world would come to an end. I never bargained to fail. I asked myself where is God? Please I want to sit for the ANCC. I need the best advice I can get please. Don't think am strong on clinical information. What is the best book to help study for ANCC please? Thank you for your help. I need current books. I never attended any live review and don't think it will help me because Idid it for nclex and it was a waste but my nclex I passed first time with cut off at 75. I just need the right material to focus on. I used leik second edition to study and barkley 2013 review book but may be the stuff was outdated. I need recent information.

If you failed the exam and don't think you are strong on clinical information why would you think a live review wouldn't help? I would strongly advice you to take a live review session and do all of the associated work before attempting an exam (or NP practice).

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Thank you

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